Everyone was speechless.
Only Liu Erlang could do such a thing.
Mr. Liu came back to his senses and said, “You brat, luckily your mother didn’t put a needle in it.”
Liu Sanniang couldn’t help but laugh. Tang An and Tang Yuan tried to hold back their smiles. They had never seen such an interesting person.
Chu Yan looked at Liu Sanniang with dark eyes.
Liu Erlang looked at Madam Wei and replied with a smile. “I swallowed the copper coin. This way, I’ll be lucky. This is a good thing.”
Madam Wei was speechless. Shaking her head helplessly, she said, “You brat.”
Liu Erlang chuckled. “Mother did it on purpose. In the past, there was only one. Most of the time, it was either Eldest Brother and Sanniang who got it… I never thought I would get lucky too.”
Liu Dalang’s lips twitched. “It’s not that you weren’t lucky, but you swallowed the copper coin every time…”
Liu Erlang scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed. He said, “Mother, make a dumpling for me. I want to have my copper coin.”
Madam Wei did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Wait until next year. There is only one chance every year.”
The dumplings were only that big. Madam Wei wondered if Liu Erlang had swallowed them without chewing. Otherwise, why didn’t he find the copper coin the size of a thumb…
Liu Erlang wanted to cry.
Mr. Liu smiled. “I’ll make a huge one for you next year. Alright, now let’s eat.”
Liu Erlang immediately started eating. This was the first time he saw so many dishes, and many of them were his favorites. The sad mood was quickly swept away by the yummy food.
After the meal, Mr. Liu took out six red envelopes. “Come, come get the money.”
Tang An said shyly, “Thank you, Uncle Liu and Auntie.”
Tang Yuan’s voice was choked with emotions as she took the envelope. “Thank you, Uncle Liu and Auntie.”
Madam Wei smiled. Among her children, only Liu Erlang was not engaged yet. After the new year, it would be his turn to look for a fiancee.
Madam Wei looked at Liu Sanniang and thought to herself. ‘My daughter will be 15 this month. Let’s keep her for another year. When she turns 16 next year, she can get married. Chu Yan is a good person. He’ll love her for sure.’
Madam Wei wasn’t on guard when she thought to herself, so Liu Sanniang heard it all.
Liu Sanniang was stunned.
Didn’t it mean that next year, she would be married to Chu Yan…
Liu Sanniang could not help but look at Chu Yan. He sensed her gaze and stared back at her. He smiled and Liu Sanniang quickly looked away. At that moment, she even had the feeling that Chu Yan also heard Madam Wei’s thoughts.
Liu Sanniang’s heart beat like a drum.
After dinner, Liu Erlang went to fetch General Black. “Mother, I’ll take General Black out for a walk.”
General Black had to go out for a walk every day.
Madam Wei glanced at General Black who was wagging his tail vigorously. She smiled. “Go.”
Her original plan was to keep this dog for a while. It was a newborn puppy, and there was no guarantee if it could survive. If it died, it would be fine. However, she did not expect that General Black really survived and was especially healthy.
As if knowing that Madam Wei was looking at it, General Black wagged its tail at her.
Liu Erlang held the rope and prepared to leave.
He tugged at the rope, but General Black did not move. Liu Erlang was stunned. “What are you doing? I’m taking you out to play.”
General Black looked at Liu Sanniang instead.
Liu Erlang touched General Black’s head. “Oh, I know. You want Sanniang to take you out, right? What an ungrateful dog.”
Madam Wei smiled. “What ungrateful? This is Sanniang’s dog. This is called loyalty.”
General Black barked as if to say he agreed.
Madam Wei immediately said, “Chu Yan, go for a stroll with Sanniang.”
Chu Yan replied. “Okay.”
Liu Erlang handed the rope to Liu Sanniang. She held the rope and followed Chu Yan out.
Not long after they left, Chu Yan held Liu Sanniang’s hand and squeezed her palm as usual.
Liu Sanniang didn’t tense up this time.
Liu Sanniang unleashed General Black and he immediately ran away. In the past, when Liu Erlang brought General Black out, he would let General Black run feely. When it was about to go home, with a few whistles or shouts, General Black would run back at once.
Chu Yan held Liu Sanniang’s hand and walked slowly.
The street that used to be lively was deserted, but the shops on both sides of the street were still open. There was a smell of firecrackers on the road.
When she saw Li Guanfeng, Liu Sanniang was a little surprised. “Magistrate Li.”
Li Guanfeng looked around a jewelry stall and picked a green butterfly hairpin. He nodded at Liu Sanniang and paid before replying. “Miss Liu, what a coincidence!”
Liu Sanniang nodded. “Happy New Year, Magistrate Li.”
Li Guanfeng said calmly, “Not very happy.”
He looked at Liu Sanniang with no smile on his face. He said, “May I buy Miss Liu a cup of tea?”
Liu Sanniang could tell Li Guanfeng was troubled by something and did not refuse. “Sure.”
Li Guanfeng’s eyes darkened. He looked at Liu Sanniang. She looked calm and collected. He retracted his gaze and politely extended his hand to gesture for her to come along.
Li Guanfeng walked in front and said politely, “There’s a teahouse ahead.”
Li Guanfeng was tall and slender, a little shorter than Chu Yan. He was thin and rarely smiled. This was a little different from Wei Shilai. He did not look so easy to get along with.
Not far ahead was a teahouse.
After entering the teahouse, Li Guanfeng said, “Give me a room and a pot of the best tea.”
The waiter replied respectfully. “Sure, please go upstairs.”
After taking them to the room, the waiter left.
Li Guanfeng looked at Liu Sanniang. Before he could speak, Liu Sanniang said, “You are not fated to be together.”
Li Guanfeng frowned. He looked at Liu Sanniang. Before he could respond, Liu Sanniang already knew what was on his mind. When did she see through him?
Li Guanfeng subconsciously clenched his fists, but his expression was as cold as usual. “Is there nothing I can do?”
Liu Sanniang shook her head. “No, she can’t hold on for long.”
Li Guanfeng pursed his thin lips and did not say anything for a while. The waiter served the tea and said with a smile, “Please enjoy. If you need anything, just let me know.”